Acropolis of Athens, Greece description. History of the Athenian Acropolis and description of its attractions

Acropolis

ACROPOLIS-I; m.[Greek akropolis from àkros - up and polis - city]. The central fortified part of an ancient Greek city, usually located on a hill; fortress. Athensky A.

(Greek akrópolis), an elevated and fortified part of an ancient Greek city, the so-called upper city; fortress (shelter in case of war). The most famous is the acropolis in Athens.

ACROPOLIS, an elevated and fortified part of the ancient Greek city, the so-called. upper city; fortress (shelter in case of war). The most famous is the Acropolis in Athens, where the main shrines of the city were located. The Acropolis of Athens, which is a 156-meter-high rocky hill with a gentle peak (approx. 300 m long and 170 m wide), is the site of the oldest settlement in Attica. During the Mycenaean period (15-13 centuries BC) it was a fortified royal residence. In the 7th-6th centuries. BC e. There was a lot of construction going on on the Acropolis. Under the tyrant Pisistratus (cm. PISISTRATOUS)(560-527) on the site of the royal palace, the temple of the goddess Athena Hekatompedon was built (that is, a temple one hundred steps long; fragments of pediment sculptures have been preserved, the foundation has been identified). In 480, during the Greco-Persian Wars, the temples of the Acropolis were destroyed by the Persians. The inhabitants of Athens swore an oath to restore the shrines only after the expulsion of enemies from Hellas. In 447 on the initiative of Pericles (cm. PERICLES) new construction began on the Acropolis; the supervision of all work was entrusted to the famous sculptor Phidias (cm. PHIDIAS), who, apparently, was the author of the artistic program that formed the basis of the entire complex, its architectural and sculptural appearance.
The sacred road along which from the agora (cm. AGORA) moved to the temple of the patron goddess during the main holiday of the Great Panathenaia (cm. PANATHINEA) procession of Athenians leading to the Propylaea (cm. PROPYLEA (in Athens)), having 5 aisles and in ancient times flanked by two equestrian statues of the Dioscuri. In the left, protruding wing, there was a Pinakothek (a collection of pinak paintings donated to the goddess Athena), in the right there was a storage room for manuscripts and a room for the gatekeeper and guards. To the right of the Propylaea, on a pyrgos (an outcrop of a fortified rock), stands a small, light and graceful Ionic temple dedicated to Athena Nike, known as the Temple of Nike Apteros (Wingless Victory; 443-420, architect Kallicrates (cm. KALLICRATES)).
After the participants of the procession passed the Propylaea and entered the sacred territory, a panorama of the central part of the complex opened before them. In the foreground, just to the left of the road, stood a colossal bronze statue of Athena Promachos (Warrior), cast by Phidias. Behind her the Erechtheion was visible in the distance (cm. ERECHTHEION)(architect unknown), temple of Athena and Poseidon on the site of a dispute between these gods for the possession of Attica. The temple has an asymmetrical plan unique in Greek architecture; its three porticos are located at different levels: on the western side there is a portico leading to the temple of Athena Polyada (City), on the northern side there is the entrance to the sanctuary of Poseidon-Erechtheus, at the southern wall of the temple there is the famous portico of the caryatids; the entire building was surrounded by a frieze with overhead white figures (not preserved). In the Erechtheion, the oldest sanctuary of Athens, there was the sacred xoan of Athena (a wooden statue), which according to legend fell from the sky, the altars of Hephaestus and the hero But, the tomb of the legendary Athenian king Kekrops, and the sanctuary of the Attic dew goddess Pandrosa adjoined to the west. In the courtyard of the Erechtheion there grew a sacred olive tree, donated to the city by Athena, and a salt spring flowed, which Poseidon carved with his trident.
The lightness of its forms, the special sophistication of decorative decoration and the complexity of the composition of the small-sized Erechtheion contrasts with the strict and majestic, emphatically monumental Parthenon (Temple of Athena the Virgin; 69.5 m in length and 30.9 m in width, the height of the columns is 10.5 m ; 447 - consecrated in 438; architect Ictinus with the participation of Callicrates), representing a Doric peripter (cm. PERIPTER). The building is perceived from the Propylaea in three quarters - viewers saw not one of its facades, but the entire volume of the structure, got an idea of ​​​​its appearance as a whole, and before seeing the main, eastern facade, they had to walk around the temple from the outside.
In the temple itself, in the naos (cm. NAOS), there was a chrysoelephantine statue of Athena Parthenos (Virgin) by Phidias; the sacred money of the goddess and the treasury of the Athenian Maritime League were kept in the opisthodomos. In the pediments there were sculptural groups depicting the most significant events in the cult of Athena - her birth and the dispute with the sea god Poseidon for the possession of Attica. Reliefs of metopes (cm. METOPES) Along the perimeter of the building scenes of mythological battles were depicted. Architectural details, sculpture and reliefs were brightly painted. The plan and order of the Parthenon also differ from the traditional ones in a number of features: in front of the naos there was a hall - the maiden's chamber (the Parthenon, which gave the name to the entire temple), along the wall of the naos there was an Ionic frieze depicting the Panathenaic procession.
In front of the Parthenon, on the right side of the Propylaea, there were also the sanctuaries of Artemis Bravronia and Athena Ergana (Craftswoman), and the repository of weapons and sacred armor - Chalkoteka (450). The open area of ​​the Acropolis was occupied by numerous altars and gifts to the gods - statues, steles. The temple and theater of Dionysus (6th century BC - rebuilt in 326), the Odeon of Pericles (a covered round building for musical competitions) (2nd half of the 5th century BC) adjoined the northwestern slope of the Acropolis. ), Theater of Herodes Atticus (2nd century AD), Sanctuary of Asclepius, Stoa (Porticus) of Eumenes.
The Acropolis towers over all of Athens, its silhouette shaping the skyline of the city. In ancient times, the Parthenon rising above the hill could be seen from any part of Attica and even from the islands of Salamis and Aegina; The sailors approaching the shore could already see from afar the shine of the spear and helmet of Athena the Warrior. In ancient times, the sanctuary was known not only as a famous cult center, but also as a monument of great art, confirming the glory of Athens as the “school of Hellas” and the most beautiful city. The thoughtful composition of the entire ensemble, perfectly found general proportions, a flexible combination of various orders, the finest modeling of architectural details and their unusually accurate drawing, the close relationship between architecture and sculptural decoration - make the buildings of the Acropolis the highest achievement of ancient Greek architecture and one of the most outstanding monuments of world art.
In the 5th century The Parthenon became the Church of Our Lady, the statue of Athena Parthenos was transported to Constantinople. After the conquest of Greece by the Turks (in the 15th century), the temple was turned into a mosque, to which minarets were added, then into an arsenal; The Erechtheion became the harem of the Turkish pasha, the temple of Nike Apteros was dismantled, and the bastion wall was built from its blocks. In 1687, after a cannonball hit a Venetian ship, an explosion destroyed almost the entire central part of the Temple of Athena the Virgin; during an unsuccessful attempt by the Venetians to remove the Parthenon sculptures, several statues were broken.
At the beginning of the 19th century. The Englishman Lord Elgin tore out a number of metopes, tens of meters of frieze and almost all the surviving sculptures of the Parthenon pediments, and a caryatid from the portico of the Erechtheion.
After the declaration of independence of Greece, during restoration work (mainly in the late 19th century), the ancient appearance of the Acropolis was restored as far as possible: all late buildings on its territory were eliminated, the temple of Nike Apteros was rebuilt, etc. Reliefs and sculptures of the temples of the Acropolis are located in the British Museum (London), the Louvre (Paris) and the Acropolis Museum. The sculptures that remained in the open air have now been replaced by copies.

encyclopedic Dictionary. 2009 .

See what “acropolis” is in other dictionaries:

- (Greek akrupolis, from bkros upper and pulis city), an elevated and fortified part of an ancient Greek city, the so-called upper city, fortress (shelter in case of war). On the acropolis there were usually temples of divine patrons... ... Art encyclopedia

- (Greek akropolis) an elevated and fortified part of an ancient Greek city, the so-called. upper city; fortress (shelter in case of war). The most famous is the Acropolis in Athens. ACROPOLIS in Athens is a fortified part of ancient Athens, where the main... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary Hotel catalog

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Acropolis- in Athens. AKROPOLIS (Greek akropolis upper city), an elevated and fortified part of an ancient Greek city, the so-called upper city; fortress (shelter in case of war). On the acropolis there were usually temples of the patron deities of a given... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

- (Greek akropolis upper city), an elevated and fortified part of an ancient Greek city, the so-called upper city; fortress (shelter in case of war). On the acropolis there were usually temples to the patron deities of a given city. Most... ... Modern encyclopedia

ACROPOLIS, acropolis. husband. (Greek akropolis) (historical). In ancient Greek cities, the central fortified part, the Kremlin. Athens Acropolis. Ushakov's explanatory dictionary. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 … Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

- (Acropolis, Αχρόπολις). In general, the upper city, the citadel, the Kremlin. The Athenian Acropolis, which served as the city’s treasury, is usually called by this name. (

The Acropolis of Athens is the main attraction of the Greek capital. As befits a fortress guarding a city, it survived a lot of trials. And the rich history of this place today attracts thousands of tourists every day.

The Athenian Acropolis is usually called the fortified part of the city, built on a hill (hence the name of this part of the ancient settlements - the upper city). The exact time of construction of the Athenian fortress is unknown, but legends connect its appearance back to the time of the mythical founder and first king of Attica, Kekrops. And this is not surprising, because according to archaeological excavations and documents that have survived to this day, it can be argued that buildings on the top of a flat hill near modern Athens existed even before the beginning of the era of Archaic Greece.

Athens Acropolis
Athens Acropolis Parthenon

Acropolis of Athens - history

The only reliable source indicating that fortifications appeared here during the time of Mycenaean Greece (Bronze Age) is the existence of a column and several pieces of sandstone wall. There are no other arguments proving the construction of an ancient megaron (temple) on the hill, but few doubt that it existed. There are even some early artifacts indicating that humans have lived here since the early Neolithic. However, all this is of interest to archaeologists rather than tourists.

A massive wall of “cyclopean masonry” appeared on the site of the future Acropolis of Athens a little later than the megaron was erected. It is almost impossible to imagine what it was like, as well as what the fortifications looked like later, right up to the archaic era. Information about the construction of temples and walls in this area, for the most part, dates back to a time later than the 6th century BC. So, in 570-550 BC. a temple was built here in honor of the patroness of the city, the goddess Athena. Its name, Hekatompedon ("hundred-foot"), was given after it was discovered during a 19th-century excavation, due to its 100-foot-long wall. Around the same time, the "Original Parthenon" (Ur-Parthenon) was built, and 50 years later the so-called Old Temple of Athena, Arkhaios Neōs, appeared. Later it was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt during wars, and by the 2nd century BC. definitely no longer existed.

Athens Acropolis at dawn
Athens Acropolis in the evening

Around 500 B.C. The Ur-Parthenon was dismantled to replace it with the Older Parthenon. The building was gigantic - 8,000 two-ton limestone blocks were prepared for its construction. However, after the victory at Marathon, the Athenians reconsidered the construction strategy of the Parthenon and decided to give maximum preference to marble. This stage in the existence of the majestic temple is often called Pre-Parthenon II. However, it was not possible to complete it - in 485 the budget had to be cut due to the outbreak of a conflict with Xerxes I, who had ascended the throne, and in 480 the acropolis was plundered and set on fire by Persian troops who burst into Athens.

After the threat of a second invasion from the Persians was finally eliminated, the Athenians decided to restore the destroyed temples of the Athenian Acropolis. Partially, surviving elements of destroyed buildings were used for reconstruction, but most of them were built anew. The period in which the work was carried out under the direction of the famous Pericles coincides with the Golden Age of Athens. At that time, the Propylaea was erected - a monumental gate on the west of the wall. Built over a period of five years, they are made of fine marble and are today considered the main architectural monument of the “high classic” era.

Athens Acropolis tourists
Athens Acropolis tourists

In 424 BC. Work on the construction of the temple of Nike Apteros was completed, on the Ionic frieze of which images of gods and episodes from the Greco-Persian wars that ended a quarter of a century ago were painted. Inside the temple stood a statue of a goddess holding a helmet and a pomegranate.

By 406 BC. north of the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, a temple in the Ionic order, was completed. Just two years before the fall of Athens, in difficult economic conditions, this beautiful example of ancient architecture was completed. Legend has it that it was erected on the site where Athena and Poseidon argued over who should own Attica. Unfortunately, in 1687 it was significantly destroyed by Venetian troops besieging the city. Therefore, today the Temple of Erechtheus, with its interesting asymmetrical layout, is just ruins.

Parthenon

Of course, the Parthenon deserves special attention, the history of which can be discussed as much as the fate of the entire Acropolis of Athens. Now we can only observe the ruins of a building built in 447 - 438. It was decorated by the greatest sculptor of his time, Phidias. He also owned the destroyed sculptures Athena Parthenos and Athena Promachos (the latter was so high that it served as a beacon). Only 30 of the many statues created by Phidias in the acropolis have survived to this day. Only 11 of them can be seen in Athens.

The Parthenon was significantly destroyed during the capture of Athens by barbarians in 267. After reconstruction, it was not possible to restore all the charm of the ancient structure. Destroyed colonnades, cracked marble - all this was replaced, but with significant simplification.

Athens Acropolis - Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Athens Acropolis Parthenon

In the 4th - 5th centuries AD. Athens turned into an ordinary provincial city of the Roman Empire. By that time, the temples had been robbed, the statues were taken out or destroyed, and the Parthenon under Paul III was rebuilt into the Church of Hagia Sophia.

During the conquest of the country by the Ottoman Empire, the main temple was turned into a mosque, and a harem was placed in the Erechtheion. The Parthenon, which became a gunpowder warehouse for the Turks in the 17th century, had to endure its most terrible test during the siege of Athens by the Venetian army. When shelling the acropolis, one of the shells caused the detonation of ammunition stored in it, which instantly turned part of the once majestic religious structure into ruins.

Even after Greece regained its independence in the 19th century, the reconstruction of the acropolis did not stop - within a few years, Roman statues, an Ottoman minaret, a palazzo, and a Frankish tower were destroyed.

Acropolis of Athens - today

Today, the Acropolis of Athens is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Active restoration work is being carried out on the territory of the historical “cradle” of Athens; every effort is being made to restore the original appearance of the surviving structures. Passed through centuries, the Acropolis of Athens, rising on a 156-meter hill in the middle of Athens, is a symbol of ancient Greek and world civilization.

Acropolis of Athens opening hours and cost of visiting:

Opening hours:
Summer (from April 1 to October 31)
Monday: 8:00 to 16:00
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:00 - 20:00
Friday: 8:00 - 22:00
Saturday/Sunday: 8:00 - 20:00

Winter (November 1 - March 31)
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 - 17:00
Friday: 9:00 - 22:00
Saturday / Sunday: 9:00 - 20:00

Access ends 30 minutes before closing.

Price:
Adults - 5.00 €
Teenagers 5 - 18 years old - 3.00 €
Children under 5 years old - free
Free for everyone: March 6, March 25, May 18 (International Museum Day), October 28.

Greece... At the sound of this word, one imagines Olympus with a host of gods, beautiful and courageous heroes and populous city-states. This is a picturesque country with a rich history; every corner here is a cultural heritage that carries those who visit it back into the depths of centuries. The Acropolis of Athens is considered a famous monument of Greek culture, a brief description of which is presented in this article.

Acropolis - the heart of Athens

In the center of the great Greek capital, Athens, stands a 156-meter-high hill, visible from any part of the city. You can climb this hill only from the sea: other slopes are steep and pose a serious obstacle. At the top of the hill is a temple complex called the Acropolis ("Upper City" in Greek). The Acropolis served as the abode of city rulers, as it was the most protected part of the city. Now this is the most popular and famous place in Greece, which attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. It is very interesting both as a historical monument and as an architectural monument. The Acropolis has seen a lot over its centuries-old life: the rise of Greek culture, its decline, the conquests of the Romans, the formation of the Ottoman Empire, and the emergence of modern Greece. The heart of Athens was destroyed many times by enemy shells, and now the remains silently remind of eternal values ​​in the bustle and impermanence of this world.

A little history

Picturesque pedestals and columns with a panoramic view of the capital of Greece today represent the temple complex of the Acropolis (Athens), the history of which dates back to approximately the 16th century AD.

The founder of the Acropolis is considered to be the first Athenian king, Kekrops. In those days it was just a hill fortified with huge stones. In the 6th century BC. At the direction of King Pisistratus, the entrance gate to the Upper City - Propylaea - was erected. In the 5th century BC. under the leadership of ruler Pericles, Athens becomes the center of politics and culture in Greece, and at the same time active construction is underway on the Acropolis. The main temple of Athens, the Parthenon, the temple of Nike Apteros, the Theater of Dionysus were built, and the statue of Athena Promachos was installed. The remains of these structures make up the Athenian Acropolis; a brief description of them will be given below.

During times, a new temple appeared on the hill - the Temple of Rome and Augustus. Then a long period of wars began, construction was no longer carried out, the Greeks tried to protect what they had.

Over the centuries, the Athenian Acropolis experienced many disasters. Architecture and monuments (Athens is very rich in cultural heritage) were constantly subject to destruction. The Byzantine rulers made the Parthenon a church, the Ottoman rulers a harem. In the 19th century it was almost completely destroyed by the Turks. Having finally achieved independence, the Greeks are trying to restore the temple complex and return it to its original appearance.

Currently, anyone can visit the Acropolis of Athens. A brief description of the complex, architectural features and rich history can be found out during a tour or by studying special literature.

Propylaea - entrance to the Upper City

For those visiting the Athens Acropolis, a brief description of the main entrance will be very interesting. The idea belongs to the architect Mnesicles, who designed the front passage in the form of porticoes and colonnades, located symmetrically on both sides of the path to the hill. The entire composition was made of different types of marble and included 6 Doric columns, 2 Ionic, 5 gates and a main corridor, as well as pavilions adjacent to the west. Unfortunately, only a few columns and fragments of the corridor have survived to this day.

Great Parthenon

The Age of Pericles is the architecture of the classics. The Athens Acropolis was built according to the ideas of the sculptor Phidias. Apparently, the idea of ​​the Parthenon belongs to him.

The name of the temple means "maiden", and it was conceived in honor of the goddess Athena. Unfortunately, after the explosion of a Venetian bomb in the 17th century, only the columns survived, but from some descriptions you can imagine its appearance. In the center of the temple was a statue of Athena in precious decoration, surrounded by more modest statues of various Greek heroes. The temple itself, measuring approximately 70x30 meters, was surrounded by 10-meter-high marble columns.

Temple of Erechtheion and Temple of Nike Apteros

It was the Erechtheion Temple, named after King Erechtheus, that was considered a place of worship of the goddess Athena, because her wooden statue, according to legend, fell straight from heaven was kept here. Here there was a trace from the lightning of Zeus, which killed the above-mentioned king, and a salty spring of Poseidon, reminiscent of his struggle with Athena for dominion over the Adriatic. The Athenian Acropolis (architecture, monuments) keeps a lot of statues of the goddess of war and wisdom. Athens, named after this goddess, is the heart of Greece, and every temple, every statue here is imbued with reverence for the patroness of the city.

Many temples included the ancient Athenian Acropolis. The description briefly tells about the temple of Nike Apteros. This is a marble structure with four columns, in which there was a statue of the goddess of victory, holding a helmet in one hand and a pomegranate fruit, symbolizing peace, in the other. The Greeks deliberately deprived the statue of its wings so that Victory could no longer fly away from them and would never leave their sacred city.

Theater of Dionysus

Let's continue our short excursion to the Acropolis of Athens (brief description). For children, perhaps the most interesting place will be its preserved fragments. Initially, this theater, built for performances during the Lesser and Greater Dionysias (that is, every six months), was wooden. Two centuries later, the stage and most of the steps were replaced with marble ones. During the Roman Empire, instead of theatrical performances, gladiator fights were held here. The huge stage and many marble chairs in the open air could accommodate the entire city. The first rows were intended for honorary citizens, the rest for ordinary spectators.

Even now, after so many centuries, the Theater of Dionysus impresses with its size and majesty.

What else to see at the Acropolis?

In addition to the famous attractions mentioned above, the Athenian Acropolis, a brief description of which we continue, is also interesting with other monuments that have practically not been preserved, but are still worth attention. These are temples, or sanctuaries, of Aphrodite and Artemis, the temple of Rome and Augustus, and the small temple of Zeus. In the 19th century, a French scientist discovered a secret emergency gate to the Upper Town. They were named after him - the Bühle Gate.

The panoramic view of the great city of Athens, which opens from the top of the hill, can also be considered part of the cultural heritage. The entire capital (with its old and new buildings) is in full view, a white city against the backdrop of the blue sea visible in the distance.

What should tourists know?

The Acropolis is open to visitors all year round, from 8.00 to 18.30 on weekdays and with reduced hours (from 8.00 to 14.30) on holidays. There are designated holidays when the museum is closed to the public. You should carefully review the opening hours before planning a tour. The entrance ticket costs 12 euros and is valid for 4 days after purchase (there is a reduced rate for students and pensioners and free admission for schoolchildren).

You can visit the Acropolis either with a tour, or with an individual guide, or on your own. In the latter case, only the cost of the entrance ticket is paid, but it should be noted that without the guide’s comments, visiting the monument will not be interesting. It is better to get an audio guide or an accompanying story.

July and August are the peak of tourist trips to Athens, so you need to be prepared for queues and a large number of guests of the temple complex. It is better to plan your visit early in the morning when there are fewer visitors.

When visiting in summer, you should wear a hat and take enough drinking water (you can buy it on the territory of the complex, but the price will be unreasonably high).

When visiting the Acropolis, you should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk quite long distances.

In the temple complex nothing should be touched with your hands, not even stones!

300 meters from the Acropolis there is a new archaeological museum where you can see interesting excavations and finds right in the ground, walking on a glass floor. The cost of visiting is not high.

There is an outdoor cafe on the roof of the museum that serves delicious coffee and inexpensive local cuisine. The view of the Acropolis from there is simply amazing!

You can purchase it to leave the Acropolis in your memory for a long time, description and photo: Greece, Athens, picturesque nature and famous sights will remind you of themselves from the pages of the album.

Tourist impressions

The Athens Acropolis leaves no one indifferent: reviews from tourists are mostly enthusiastic, filled with vivid emotions. The grandeur of the temple complex in Athens is amazing! Every stone, every fragment of marble preserves a centuries-old history, the memory of prosperity and destruction, defeats and victories, the memory of great warriors and cruel conquerors.

Despite the fact that only fragments of its former splendor have survived to this day, a special atmosphere of the culture of the ancient Greeks hovers here, and people who climb the hill seem to become a little closer to this heritage, as if they are surrounded by those deities in whose honor the most beautiful temples and sanctuaries were built and colonnades!

Acropolis(from the Greek word "acropolis" - which means "upper city") - is a fortified part of the city, located on a hill and intended for the defense of the city in wartime. The Acropolis was the site of the original settlement of people, and much later a lower city was built around it, which did not have significant defensive structures.

Walled cities were usually built around a hill or high rock. Internal fortifications were erected on the rock. Such a citadel in Ancient Greece was called the Acropolis. However, the building served not only the role of an internal fortress - the Greeks kept in the depths of their consciousness ideas about prehistoric times, and the square raised on the rock symbolized for them the celestial sphere, sacred soul-cleansing powers and immortality.

Fearless warriors and wise military engineers strengthened the entrance to the Acropolis only when the enemy approached. The threshold of the sacred site seemed to the Greeks as a kind of border between immortality and earthly prosaic affairs. On the acropolis there were temples dedicated to the ancient Greek gods. One of the outstanding monuments of world architecture is the Acropolis in Athens.

Acropolis of Athens occupies a rocky hill more than 150 meters high. Its top is flat and the temples are built on it in an ascending order. The hill reaches a width of 170 meters and a length of about 300 meters.

Structure of the Acropolis in Athens.

The ensemble of the Athenian Acropolis includes several temples and other important objects, among which are the following:

• - This is the central and most important temple of the Acropolis, dedicated to the patroness of the city, the goddess Athena. The temple was built in the middle of the 5th century BC by the architect Callicrates.

• Hecatompedon- one of the oldest temples in the Acropolis, which was built in honor of the goddess Athena, which was built much earlier than the Parthenon.
• - a temple as part of the Acropolis, located north of the Parthenon, which also had important religious and cult significance. The Erechtheion was dedicated to the goddess of wisdom Athena, the god of the seas Poseidon, as well as the legendary Athenian king Erechtheus.

• Statue of Athena Promachos- a huge bronze statue of the goddess Athena - the patroness of the city - the polis. Its author was the sculptor Phidias, who erected the statue in 465 - 455 BC on an elevated pedestal between the Parthenon and Erechtheion temples.

Athena holds a shield and a spear in her hands, and on the head of the statue there is a golden helmet. The spear was also made of pure gold. They sparkled in the rays of the sun, and their light was visible for many kilometers. That is why the statue of Athena Promachos served as a kind of beacon for sailors - they used it to navigate and successfully reach the shores of Hellas.

• Propylaea- represent a passage limited by a colonnade, which is intended for ceremonial processions. It is no coincidence that the Propylaea became the hallmark of the Acropolis - their slender colonnade forms the entrance to the ensemble.

• Temple of Nike Apteros- dedicated to the goddess Nike - the winner. The temple is located in the southwest direction from the Propylaea. It is built on a rock ledge, and therefore is additionally reinforced with a supporting wall 8 meters high. The Temple of Nike was built by Callicrates in 427 - 424 BC.

• Eleusinion
• Bravronion- This is the sanctuary of the goddess Artemis of Bravron, which was located in the corner of the Acropolis next to Chalcoteca. The goddess Artemis patronized pregnant women and women in labor. The temple is distinguished by its simplicity and grace.

• Chalcotheque- a special building in which weapons, ritual objects and utensils for making sacrifices were collected for storage. It was here that spears, shields, armor, catapults belonging to the city were kept, as well as captured weapons obtained in fair battle from the enemy.

• Pandroseion- this is a temple building - a sanctuary built in honor of the daughter of the first king of Attica Kekrops, whose name was Pandrosa. The courtyard of the sanctuary has a trapezoidal shape. On its territory there is an altar of the god Zeus Herkei, the patron saint of the family hearth.

• Arreforion- This is a small structure that serves as a residence for four arrephoros - young girls of noble origin who wove peplos, intended as a gift to the goddess Athena during the annual Panathenaic Games.
• Athens altar- a special place in the courtyard of the Acropolis, where it was customary to make ritual sacrifices in honor of the ancient Greek gods. Typically, sacrifices had to be made during ceremonial events and holidays.

• Sanctuary of Zeus Polyaeus
• Sanctuary of Pandion- today it is the ruins of a destroyed building, which in ancient times was located in the south-eastern part of the Acropolis of Athens. This small building was the temple of the legendary ancient Greek hero Pandeonis, one of the Athenian kings.
• Odeon of Herodes Atticus- is a building in the form of an ancient Greek theater, designed to accommodate 5 thousand spectators. The building was built in 165 AD by order of the Greek orator and philosopher Herodes Atticus in memory of his deceased wife Regina. Today, the building has been preserved almost completely, and performances and concerts are held there.

• Standing Eumenes is a two-story building with Doric order columns. Inside the structure there are Ionic columns, and the upper tier is decorated with capitals made in the Pergamon style. In front of the Stoa are the remains of the foundation of the Nicias monument. The Stoa of Eumenes was built on a hillside, and got its name from the architect Eumenes II of Pergamon.
• Asklepion is an ancient Greek temple built in honor of the god of healing, Asclepius. The sanctuary had not only religious and cult significance, but also served as a medical institution. The Asklepions contributed to the development of medical science in Ancient Hellas.

The treatment of the sick was carried out by the priests of the god of healing - Asclepiad. At first, only certain ritual actions were performed, but later the priests began to use various medicinal herbs and potions. This helped cure the sick and also contributed to the accumulation of special medical knowledge.

• Theater of Dionysus
• Odeon of Pericles
• Temenos of Dionysus
• Sanctuary of Aglavra

Propylaea.

This border was served by a colonnade called the Propylaea. The Greeks perfected the order, borrowed from traditional Egyptian architecture. The columns of the Propylaea are made in the Doric order, which the Greeks considered the embodiment of strength and courage.

The exterior of the Propylaea is not characterized by symmetrical lines. The right wing of the building seemed to shrink to make room for the marble temple. The four columns of the temple, thinner and more graceful, stand on turned stands and end with two elastic curls. These are columns of the Ionic order - the embodiment of graceful femininity.

Temple of Nike Apteros.

The goddess of victory Nike is depicted unarmed, for real victory is higher than weapons. Victory is fickle, which is why Nike has eagle wings. After the Greco-Persian Wars, the Greeks claimed that having settled in their city, Nike would never leave it, and therefore they depicted victory without wings, and the building was called the Temple of Wingless Victory - Nike Apteros. Thus, Victory became a domestic goddess for Athens.

And, as proof that she feels confident and comfortable, on one of the bas-reliefs of the temple she leisurely adjusts the string of her sandal. The Temple of Nike is located directly in front of the entrance to the Acropolis. The left wing of the Propylaea is a spacious marble pavilion in which the world's first art museum, the Pinakothek, was built.

Statue of Athena Promachos.

Just as other cities were poleis separate from each other, the Acropolis was a special world opposed to the city - a world in which reality merged with fiction. Those who came to the Acropolis were greeted by a huge figure in a scaly shell, cast in bronze.

In the struggle for independence there was a conscious unity between the people and the land. The Greek selflessly served his fatherland. The won peace could turn out to be fragile, and Athens could turn to war again at any moment. The armed world existed in the guise of the patroness of the polis in armor and a helmet. The bronze figure leaning on a spear was for the Athenians the goddess Athena herself.

Greek sculptors did not adhere to once and for all established standards; they were constantly in creative search. The artist sought to give the figure a more expressive pose or a new gesture. The canons of Greek art were not immutable and the priests did not monitor their strict observance. Each master made his own changes. Also, Greek art was unfamiliar with once and for all established subjects.

The world seemed to the Greeks in constant cyclical movement. The plastic embodiment of gods and heroes was a statement of perfection. Sculpture was considered the main art, and work on the creation of sculptural compositions was led by the brilliant ancient Greek sculptor Phidias, the creator of the bronze statue of Athena.

As the myth said, two deities claimed the role of patron of the city - the polis - Athena and the god of the seas Poseidon. During the dispute, Athena lightly touched the rock with her spear, and an olive tree grew in this place. In turn, Poseidon struck the stone with his trident, and water began to gush out of it.

However, the gods unanimously recognized the miracle created by Athena as more useful, and gave the city under her protection. The city also received its name from the name of the goddess.

The god of the seas, Poseidon, was also the god of the rich, while the goddess of wisdom, Athena, patronized the working people. The myth of Athena's victory over Poseidon is captured in the sculptural composition on the western pediment of the Parthenon, the main temple of the Acropolis.

Most of the figures are depicted naked. The ideal of the Greeks was the harmony of external and internal beauty, the unity of body and spirit. The Greek gods, restless, ardent and active in character, were similar to the Greeks themselves.

Acropolis literally translates as “fortress”, “fortification”. The Greeks called acropolises ancient fortresses, built on the hills. Elevation was a must because the surfaces provided excellent views. This was important from a strategic point of view for quickly repelling enemy attacks.

It is also a storehouse of valuables. City rulers brought the most expensive things to these buildings so that they would be under guaranteed protection from robbers.

Temples were built on the Acropolis, dedicating them to the gods who protected the cities. They were also erected in honor of the most prominent rulers.

The Acropolis of Athens is a symbol of Greece

This building is not even hundreds, but thousands of years old. For centuries Acropolis of Athens amazed the eyes of researchers and ordinary people, local Greeks and tourists coming to the country. At all times, travelers from all over the world have been attracted by the splendor and beauty of this ancient structure.

- the most famous of all built by the Greeks. Consists of Athenian Acropolis from a whole complex of buildings, sculptures and other architectural structures, the beauty of which can be judged by the greatness and exceptional taste of Greek sculptors, artists, sculptors, and architects. The Acropolis in Athens is rightfully considered the heritage of Greece, a masterpiece of world art.

There were other structures on the site where the Acropolis in Athens is now located. Many thousands of years ago, completely different shrines stood here, including temples and sculptural compositions. After a huge period of time, even before construction of the Acropolis, the Persian ruler Xerxes destroyed architectural masterpieces. This happened around 500 BC. BC. evidence of such events has come down to us in the narratives of Herodotus. He also wrote that it was decided to create a completely different ensemble of architectural monuments in the area of ​​destruction. Work on its construction dates back to the time of Pericles. Already at this time, the Acropolis was no longer interpreted as a fortified city. The Athenians saw its meaning in the religious and cultic embodiment of Greek traditions. The marble walls and structures of this Acropolis were supposed to personify the wonderful victory of the Greeks in the war with the Persians.

So, in the cradle of ancient architecture - Athens, a completely different project was created, which was approved by Pericles. Self Acropolis building The Greeks took about 20 years to build. The construction work was supervised by a friend of Pericles, the greatest sculptor -. The architectural ensemble surrounding the main building took more than half a century to build. During this time, none of the ideas of the plan were modified.

In the ensemble, reflecting the integrity of the Acropolis, sights that are organically interconnected are visible. According to researchers of this cultural site, Acropolis of Athens created in exceptional harmony with nature. Among the buildings:

Parthenon.

Temple of the goddess Nike.

Propylaea.

1. Sanctuary of Artemis Bravronia.

The latest architectural idea - Sanctuary of Artemis is a corridor flanked by Doric columns. The sanctuary is located southeast of the Propylaea. Unfortunately, only the ruins of this architectural masterpiece have survived to this day.

The ancient Greeks, when visiting this ensemble, initially climbed to the Propylaea along a huge stone staircase. Propylaea– main entrance to the Acropolis. To the left was a gallery building in which hundreds of paintings were hung. Such a museum was called a “pinakothek”. In it, Attic heroes embodied in artistic skill flaunted for everyone to see. To the right of the entrance to the Propylaea was located temple of Nike. It was built on a rock ledge. According to legend, it was from it that Aegeus threw himself. Niki was in the temple Athena statue. In this regard, it was sometimes called the “temple of Athena Nike.”

Having passed through the Propylaea, the eyes of the guests turned to the statue of Athena that appeared before them. It was huge and stood on a stone pedestal. Many scientists believe that it was the gilded tip of the statue’s spear that served as a guide in sunny weather for captains who decided to find their pier in Athens.

Immediately behind the statue of Athena there was an altar, and a little to the left a small temple was built. The devotees of the goddess performed their rites of worship there.

Available on site Athens Acropolis Erechtheion Temple. According to legend, Athena fought with Poseidon for a number of cities. According to the terms of the duel, power would come to the one who gives the most desired gift for the residents of the policies. Poseidon threw his trident towards the Acropolis, and in the place where the giant projectile hit, a fountain of sea water began to flow. Anywhere spear of Athena, growing olive. She became a symbol ancient Athens and promised victory to their patroness. Part of the temple built in these places is dedicated to the legendary ruler Erechtheus. He once ruled in Athens. It was in the Acropolis that the king's sanctuary and his tomb were located. Later the temple itself began to be called the Erechtheion.

It was destroyed by fire, but the temple was restored during times of Pericles. Now the architectural features of this structure can only be judged from archival sources, where several publications contain the outlines of the temple and its brief description. But none of the sculptures or remains of marble decorations have survived. All the porticos were damaged, including portico of the Caryatid. It was partially restored according to the drawings and remains one of the main architectural landmarks Athens Acropolis.

No less bright - Parthenon. This structure is quite large and massive, but its structure is very simple. This temple is also dedicated to the patron goddess of Athens. Great Parthenon erected by the ancient sculptors Callicrates and Iktin. Researchers note the optimal combination of temple columns with steps, friezes, sculptures and pediment. The structure consisted entirely of marble. But it was gradually turned from white to multi-colored. The architects added a couple more porticos and columns to the majestic structure. It was in the Parthenon that a gigantic statue of Athena adorned itself. Created her sculptor Phidias, using gold and ivory in his work. Precious metal almost entirely made up the goddess's outer vestment. Later the statue was irretrievably lost. Only a small copy of it has survived.

Acropolis of Lindos

The city of Lindos, which was built in ancient times, has a history rich in legends. The settlement was founded back in the 12th century. BC. The sights of the ancient city today are among the main ones on the island. This is a favorite place to visit by tourists. Architectural monuments They also attract researchers of Ancient Greek culture and art.

In Lindos there is also ancient Acropolis. It is no less famous than Athens. In addition, this structure is much older than what was built in Athens. Acropolis of Lindos erected on a high mountain. From its peak you can see the most beautiful picture - a unique view of the sea.

Athena Linda patronage in ala Lindos city. That's why Linda Temple, which was located on the territory of the Acropolis, was considered the main structure here.

Researchers carried out excavations in this area for several years and one fine day they found traces of an ancient sanctuary. The finds are dated to the 6th century BC. The result of the examinations was the conclusion that the temple was once destroyed by fire. But a couple of centuries later, a new building appeared on the same site. This was probably an attempt to build the Acropolis in the likeness of an old structure. It featured beautiful architectural design and a huge staircase.

We climbed to the Acropolis of Lindos along a thin path. It wraps around a huge, steep rock on which the temple is built. On the territory of the complex there were sanctuaries and structures dating back to 400 years. BC. It is known that it was in these sanctuaries that the islanders worshiped their many pagan gods. Here, nearby, archaeologists found:

A tower with a chapel of Christian type.

Roman temple.

Ruins of a temple built during the Great Roman Empire.

Ruins of the temple at the Palace of the Grand Master.

Church of St. John. It is known that it was built around the 13th century. new millennium.

Lindosa times were considered the most romantic and majestic buildings of ancient Greece. It was built in the most beautiful place on the island. Staying there makes tourists think of the Middle Ages.

Medieval island of Rhodes

The island of Rhodes is one of the largest and most visited by tourists in Greece, since in Rhodes everyone can find a holiday to suit their taste: comfortable beaches and excellent hotels (mainly class A and De Luxe), interesting sights and rich museums, leisurely walks through the ancient the cities of the island with their narrow streets, ancient temples, taverns with delicious Greek cuisine and colorful souvenir shops.

Historical heritage of ancient Macedonia

Imagine the majestic building of an ancient Greek amphitheater... A festive procession dedicated to the wedding of Cleopatra, the daughter of the Macedonian king Philip II and the king of Epirus Alexander. Hundreds of people, who had already taken their seats in the dark, suddenly witnessed a striking and terrible picture at dawn: 12 statues of the main Olympic gods, skillfully made by the best architects of Greece, solemnly appeared on the square.

Kastoria is not only a fur coat paradise!

A small quiet provincial town in northern Greece called “Kastoria” is known to most fashionistas from all over the world. It is here that their wildest dreams of the best and most beautiful fur coat made of natural fur can come true. After all, Kastoria is rightly called the “fur paradise” on Earth,

Dodecanese

The southeast of the Aegean archipelago is occupied by a group of islands, which are united under the general name of the Dodecanese, that is, the “Twelve Islands”. The Greek name of the islands differs from the Russian (with emphasis on the last syllable): Dodekanisos, since the toponym is derived from “dodecada” (dozen).

Pop stars of modern Greece